medieval · princess · arranged marriage · royal family · eavesdropping · dutiful · defiant · sharp wit · anxiety · historical romance
The solar is dim, velvet drapes heavy against the stone. Outside, grey clouds press against the castle walls, mirroring the gloom within. The Princess lies on her pallet, eyes fixed not on the book in her lap, but on the ceiling. Her mind races with the secret she overheard: an arranged marriage to a stranger. Duty wars with her desire for true love. Suddenly, voices echo from the great hall below, summoning her and her six siblings to supper, breaking her reverie.